Stmnt re BHP Steel Ltd

BHP Billiton Limited
9 October 2001



    BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure
 obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

   The text of this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc
                                   earlier.



Date: 9 October 2001

Ref:   16/01

               CHAIRMAN, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
                        OF BHP STEEL LIMITED ANNOUNCED

BHP Billiton Chairman Don Argus today announced Graham Kraehe, formerly
Managing Director and CEO of Southcorp Ltd, will be appointed Chairman of BHP
Steel Limited, which is scheduled to be publicly listed before the end of the
2002 financial year.

On listing, BHP Steel is expected to be one of Australia's 50 largest public
companies with total assets of A$4.7 billion, an extensive network of
customers around the world and operations throughout Australia, New Zealand,
Asia and in the United States.

 BHP Billiton Chairman Don Argus said: 'Graham Kraehe is one of Australia's
most respected business leaders. He has extensive experience in the
manufacturing sector and a strong track record in the delivery of increased
returns to shareholders.

 'Graham will provide excellent leadership skills to the Board of BHP Steel
and great support to Kirby Adams and his team in the lead-up to public listing
and beyond. He will bring a unique combination of skills to the new company.'

 Mr Kraehe was the Managing Director and CEO of Southcorp Limited from 1994 to
February this year.  He is currently a Board member of News Corp, Brambles and
National Australia Bank and was formerly a Board member of Email Ltd.
Previously, he held positions as Managing Director of Pacifica and Monroe/
Wylie.

 BHP Billiton also announced Ron McNeilly, currently an Executive Director of
BHP Billiton, would be appointed Deputy Chairman of BHP Steel and Kirby Adams
would be Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the new company.

 Mr Argus said: 'Ron McNeilly has more than 30 years experience in the steel
industry and is well known by BHP Steel's customers in Australia and overseas.
His experience and network of relationships will be invaluable as BHP Steel
develops as a separate entity.

'Kirby Adams has been President and CEO of BHP Steel since March 2000.  He has
a strong track record in the leadership of businesses within BHP Billiton and,
previously, for six years was both CEO and Chief Operating Officer of the
world's largest titanium metals company,' Mr Argus said.

 It has also been confirmed that the new company will be named BHP Steel
Limited for the first two years after public listing.

 Speaking from the new company's head office at 120 Collins Street Melbourne,
Mr Kraehe said: 'Maintaining the BHP Steel name and brand recognises the
strength of the brand amongst employees, customers and communities, and the
excellent reputation developed by BHP Steel over many years.

 'The decision maintains the link with BHP Steel's great history, while
providing time to educate our customers, investors, the media and others about
BHP Steel as a stand-alone business, separate from BHP Billiton.'

 President and CEO of BHP Steel Mr Adams said 'BHP Steel is a proven performer
in the global steel industry, and our products underpin much of New Zealand
and Australia's manufacturing and construction industry.

 'Our employees, and the investments we have made over the past decade in
product innovation, technology and manufacturing facilities, provide us with a
strong platform for growth, particularly in Asia,' he said.

 Mr Adams said he was looking forward to working with the new Board to
continue the strengthening of BHP Steel and to deliver improved returns and
growth opportunities for its shareholders.

 'We are looking forward to this new phase in BHP Steel's great history. We
have made significant progress in recent years in restructuring our business
to improve profitability and ensure a strong, vital business for the benefit
of our customers, suppliers, employees and the communities in which we
operate,' he said

 BHP Steel will announce further appointments to the Board of the new company
together with details of the timetable for the public listing process in the
near future.

                                     ****

Graham Kraehe, Ron McNeilly & Kirby Adams CV's below.
Australia
Dr. Robert Porter,
Investor Relations
Tel: + 61 3 9609 3540
Mobile: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Mandy Frostick,
Media Relations
Tel: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

David Goodwin,
Steel External Affairs
Tel: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]



KRAEHE, Graham John

 Chairman BHP Steel 2001

 Career

 Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Southcorp Ltd 1994-2001;
Managing Director Pacifica 1986-94; Managing Director and CEO W.H. Wylie (now
Monroe) 1980-84; Managing Director and CEO Renmano Wines 1972-1980.

Other Directorships

 Director, National Australia Bank 1997-; Director, News Corp 2000-; Director,
Brambles 2000-; Director, Email 1990-1994.

Committees, industry bodies & professional associations

 Director, Business Council of Australia 1999-2001; National President Metal
Trades Industry Association 1995-1997; Chairman NIES 1990; President Wine and
Brandy Producers Association Australia; 1980-81.

 Personal

 Born: 2 September 1942, Adelaide, Australia

Spouse: Josephine

Education: Brighton High School, South Australia; Bachelor of Economics,
University of Adelaide.

Recreation: Golf, gardening.


MCNEILLY, Ron

 Executive Director Global Markets 2001

 Career

 Executive Director & President BHP Minerals 1999 - 2001; Chief Operating
Officer, BHP 1998-1999; Executive Director, BHP 1997-1998; Executive General
Manager & Chief Executive Officer BHP Steel 1991-1997; General Manager
Transport 1989-1991; General Manager Wire Products Division 1987-1989; General
Manager Long Products Division 1985-1987; General Manager Whyalla Works
1984-1985; Manager Operations Transport 1982-1984; Manager International
Marketing Iron & Steel 1978-1982; Resident Representative South East Asia
1973-1978; various marketing positions 1963-1973; Commercial Trainee 1962

Other Directorships

 Deputy Chairman BHP Steel 2001

Chairman, Melbourne Business School Limited

Director, Melbourne Storm Football Club Limited

Past Director, QCT Resources Limited

Past Director, Tubemakers of Australia Limited



 Committees, industry bodies & professional associations

 Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors

Member, Executive Committee of the Australia-Japan Business Co-operation
Committee

Member, Executive Committee of Council on Australia Latin America Relations

President, Australia Chile Business & Investment Council

Director, Committee for Melbourne

Past Director, International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI)

Past Director, South East Asia Iron and Steel Institute (SEAISI)

Past Director, International Copper Association

Past Vice President, Minerals Council of Australia



Personal

Born: 25 July, 1943.

Education: Bachelor of Commerce, University of Queensland

MBA Melbourne University

Spouse: Victoria

Children: 2 daughters

Interests: Golf, swimming, gardening and fishing.



ADAMS, Kirby Clarke

 President and CEO BHP Steel 2001

 Career

 President & CEO BHP Steel 2000 -; President BHP Services, 1999-2000; Group
General Manager & Chief Executive Officer BHP Service Companies 1997-99;
Corporate General Manager Planning & Development 1995-97; President and CEO
Titanium Metals Corporation 1988-95; Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer Tremont Corporation 1990-95; Chairman Bentonite Mining Corporation
1990-93; Vice President Business Development NL Industries Inc 1987-88;
President NL ERCO 1984-86; Region Manager NL Sperry-Sun 1983-84; Director of
Operational Projects NL Sperry-Sun 1982-83; Director of Planning NL Petroleum
Services 1981-82; Manager of Planning National Supply Division ARMCO Inc
1979-81.

 Committees, industry bodies & professional associations

 Director, International Iron Steel Institute (IISI)

Former President, Titanium Development Association; Member Young Presidents'
Organisation.

 Personal

 Born:  19 December 1955.

Education: BS Industrial Engineering Auburn University, USA; MBA General
Management Darden School University of Virginia, USA.

Recreation:  Skiing, swimming, golf.


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